New Outlook Multiple Windows Settings: Location and Practical Limits

You want to open multiple Outlook windows to view different mail folders or calendars side by side. In the new Outlook for Windows, the option to open a new window is available but has specific settings and practical limits. This article explains where to find the multiple windows settings, what the feature can and cannot do, and how to work within its constraints.

The new Outlook does not support opening more than one main window with independent navigation. Instead, you can open secondary windows for specific items like emails or calendar events. Understanding these limits helps you avoid confusion and use the feature effectively.

This article covers the location of the Open New Window command, the types of windows you can create, and the practical limitations of the feature in the new Outlook.

How the Multiple Windows Feature Works in New Outlook

The new Outlook for Windows was rebuilt from the ground up using web technologies. This change introduced a different windowing model compared to classic Outlook. In classic Outlook, you could open multiple independent windows, each with its own folder navigation pane. In the new Outlook, the main window is a single instance. You cannot open a second main window with separate navigation.

Instead, the new Outlook offers secondary windows that are tied to the main window. These secondary windows can display a single email message, a calendar view, or a contact card. They are useful for multitasking, but they do not provide full independent navigation.

The feature is enabled by default. No additional settings need to be turned on. You access the commands through the ribbon or context menus.

Prerequisites

You must have the new Outlook for Windows installed. This version is available to Microsoft 365 subscribers and users with a Microsoft account. The feature works on Windows 10 and Windows 11. No administrator permissions are required to open new windows.

Steps to Open a New Window in New Outlook

Follow these steps to open a new window in the new Outlook. The method depends on what you want to display in the new window.

1. Open a new window of the current folder or calendar
   Click the View tab on the ribbon. In the Layout group, click Open New Window. A new window opens showing the same folder or calendar view as your main window. This window mirrors the main window’s navigation. Changing folders in one window does not affect the other.
2. Open an email message in a separate window
   In your inbox or any mail folder, right-click the email message you want to open. Select Open in New Window from the context menu. The message opens in a new window. You can reply, forward, or delete the message from this window. Closing this window does not close the main Outlook window.
3. Open a calendar view in a separate window
   Switch to the Calendar module. Click the View tab. Click Open New Window. A new window opens showing the calendar. You can change the calendar view (day, week, month) independently in this window. You can also open a specific calendar by right-clicking a calendar name in the left pane and selecting Open in New Window.
4. Open a contact or task in a separate window
   In the People module, double-click a contact. The contact card opens in a new window. In the To Do module, double-click a task. The task details open in a new window. These windows are modal to the main window in some cases.

Practical Limits of Multiple Windows in New Outlook

The new Outlook has several limits when using multiple windows. Understanding these prevents frustration.

You cannot open two independent main windows

The most significant limit is that you cannot have two main Outlook windows with separate folder panes. For example, you cannot have one window showing your inbox and another showing your calendar with full navigation. The Open New Window command on the View tab mirrors the current module. If you are in Mail, the new window shows mail. If you are in Calendar, it shows calendar. You cannot mix modules in separate windows.

Secondary windows close when the main window closes

All secondary windows are tied to the main Outlook process. If you close the main Outlook window, all secondary windows close as well. This includes email messages opened in new windows. Save any unsaved work before closing the main window.

Limited number of open windows

The new Outlook does not enforce a hard limit on the number of secondary windows, but performance degrades after about five to seven windows. Each window consumes memory and CPU. On systems with 8 GB of RAM or less, you may notice lag when more than three windows are open.

No window arrangement or docking support

The new Outlook does not offer built-in window arrangement tools like Snap Layouts integration. You must manually resize and position windows using Windows Snap (Windows key + arrow keys). The windows do not remember their positions after restarting Outlook.

Context menus and ribbon commands are limited in secondary windows

Secondary windows that display a single email or calendar view have a reduced ribbon. For example, an email opened in a new window shows only the Message tab. You cannot access the View tab or File menu from that window. To change folder navigation, you must return to the main window.

Common Mistakes and Workarounds

I cannot open a second window using Ctrl+N

In classic Outlook, Ctrl+N opens a new item (email, appointment, contact). In the new Outlook, Ctrl+N still opens a new item, not a new window. To open a new window, use the View tab or right-click method described above. There is no keyboard shortcut for Open New Window in the new Outlook.

The Open New Window button is grayed out

This happens when you are viewing a single email or a search results folder. Switch to a standard folder like your inbox or a calendar view. The button becomes active again.

Windows do not stay on top

Secondary windows in the new Outlook do not have a “stay on top” option. If you click the main window, the secondary windows may go behind it. Use Windows Snap (Windows key + Left or Right arrow) to arrange windows side by side. This keeps them visible while you work.

I want to open multiple calendars in separate windows

You can open one calendar in a new window using the View tab. To view multiple calendars side by side, use the overlay mode within the main window. Click the calendar name in the left pane while holding Ctrl. The calendars overlay in the same window. This is more efficient than separate windows.

New Outlook vs Classic Outlook: Multiple Windows Comparison

Item	New Outlook	Classic Outlook
Open multiple main windows	Not supported	Supported
Open email in separate window	Supported via right-click	Supported via double-click or Shift+Enter
Open calendar in separate window	Supported via View tab	Supported via Open in New Window
Keyboard shortcut for new window	Not available	Ctrl+Shift+N or Alt+W+N
Windows persist after restart	No	No
Performance impact with many windows	Moderate after 5 windows	Low up to 10 windows
Ribbon in secondary windows	Reduced	Full

You can now open multiple windows in the new Outlook for specific tasks like reading an email or viewing a calendar. Use the View tab or right-click methods to create secondary windows. For advanced multitasking, consider using Windows Snap to arrange windows. Remember that the new Outlook does not support independent main windows, so plan your workflow accordingly. If you need full multiple window support, classic Outlook remains available through the toggle in the top-right corner of the new Outlook.